Lieutenant governor candidate Will Ainsworth speaks to River Region Republicans

Tuesday, state Rep. Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville, spoke to the River Region Republican Club at the Farmer’s Market Café about his campaign for lieutenant governor.

Ainsworth said he grew up in Boaz, Alabama, where his father is a businessman in the local community.

“I am from the private sector,” Ainsworth said, “I have started three businesses versus my opponents who have been in government.”

Advertisement

Ainsworth, who introduced a bill to arm educators, said he has a “passion” for education.

“One rural school system has one school resource officer and 18 schools. ‘Are those students safe?'” Ainsworth asked. “There needs to be just one entry coming into the school and make sure that the door locks and there needs to be cameras. It make sense to arm some teachers. One teacher is a deputy sheriff; but under current rules she can’t go into a school with a gun. Over 19 states are doing this including California of all places.”

Ainsworth said that teachers are scared that they could do nothing but use their body as a shield when a mass shooter comes to their school.

He said that he supports Pre-K because after talking with kindergarten teachers it is apparent that some parents are not doing their jobs.

Ainsworth said that the schools also need to have technology so that students can compete in the 21st century.

“We have talked about recruiting jobs and selling our state, but we also need to dive into what can we do to expand existing industry,” Ainsworth said.

Ainsworth said that he opposed Gov. Robert Bentley when he proposed $800 million in new taxes.

“There are still places to save money in state budgets,” Ainsworth said. “One of those is in motor pools. In state government, it is a luxury item to have a sate car; but look at the cost of maintaining them. We could pay mileage and come out ahead.”

“I was one of the initial 12 that signed the impeachment articles,” Ainsworth said. “I got threatened in my district over it. We did not get some road projects.”

“I am a conservative fighter,” Ainsworth said.

Ainsworth is running for lieutenant governor in the GOP primary, along with Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh, and state Sen. Rusty Glover, R-Semmes.

Florence-area Pastor Dr. Will Boyd is running for lieutenant governor as a Democrat.

The River Region Republican Club meets at the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Farmer’s Market Café. On May 5th, they are planning on having a candidate forum.

Scandal, blue dogs and the fickle public could change the 2018 election, maybe

Campaign season is about to enter a critical phase with Republican and Democrat primaries less than 75 days away.

In this off-year election, only the governor’s race and the battle for attorney general are drawing any particular attention. Neither seat is held by an individual elected to the office by a vote of the people. Gov. Kay Ivey ascended to her position after the fall of Gov. Robert Bentley, and Attorney General Steve Marshall owes his job to the same deviant governor who was forced from office due to moral and legal failings.

As the 2018 Legislative Session hurries to a close, politicos are focusing their attention on primary election day, June 5, when many races are decided because of carefully drawn districts that favor either a Republican or Democrat candidate.

All political contests are consequential, but few have the potential to be transformative. If the status quo holds, little will change in the Heart of Dixie, but as with all things politics, the mercurial temperament of the electorate can change in interesting ways.

Advertisement

Take for instance Judge Roy Moore’s recent defeat in the 2017 U.S. Senate special election where scandal coupled with weak resolve among state Republican leadership gave a motivated youth and minority voter movement an opportunity to capture a seat held by Republicans for more than a generation.

There is little reason to believe that Gov. Ivey will not win the Republican primary. Most recent polls show her with high favorables among Republican voters. But that doesn’t mean her path to victory is assured, as she faces three primary challengers and an enlivened Democratic base.

Having raised nearly three million dollars, Ivey is besting her closest competitor by over one million.

Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls former State Supreme Court Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox are, for now, only a distraction in terms of fundraising — but so was Doug Jones before he upset the state’s political equilibrium with his U.S. Senate win just a few months ago.

As for the attorney general’s race in the Republican primary, Marshall faces a field that includes former U.S. Attorney and recent AG chief deputy Alice Martin, former Attorney General Troy King and President Donald Trump’s Alabama finance director Chess Bedsole.

“That an attorney general is accepting donations from those who aided Hubbard is seen as troubling.”

Marshall is handily outpacing his rivals in fundraising having received $961,505.28 total with $18,021.40 in loans. Marshall contributions from in-state PACs has dropped precipitously since revelation surfaced about his actions to protect a molester on his staff.

But that hasn’t deterred out-of-state donors, many of whom seem to have no affiliation with Alabama. Marshall’s campaign is heavily funded by groups and individuals who are tied to the felony acts of former Republican Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard. That an attorney general is accepting donations from those who aided Hubbard is seen a troubling.

Among Republican voters, the most recent survey shows Marshall running behind King and slightly ahead of Martin.

Many high-profile politicos speaking on background believe if Marshall wins, he will move to fire public corruption fighter Matt Hart and his team. They also express concern that he will join forces with those who will weaken and dismantle state ethics laws.

Given Republican gerrymandering and the state’s right-leaning political bent, little is expected to change.

However, as blue dog Democrats are gaining ground across the nation, it is not inconceivable that Ivey could face a challenge from the left and given that Marshall was an Obama Democrat until 2012, it seems likely that he will be sent home by one of his three Republican challengers.

Hobson campaign announces county chairs

Monday, the Rich Hobson for Congress Campaign announced county chairs in each of the 15 counties of Alabama’s 2nd congressional district.

Hobson, 56, is an attorney and was twice the head Administrator Officer of the Alabama Judicial System. He has also worked for the Foundation for Moral Law and as Roy Moore’s Senate campaign manager.

“Our campaign’s momentum is growing, and I’m excited to have these local leaders on board,” Hobson said. “They are all fantastic community leaders, and they will do a great job of getting the word out about our conservative vision for America. I look forward to working with each of them as I continue connecting with as many residents of the Second District as possible.”

Hobson is an attorney and a longtime aide to Roy Moore. Hobson was the head of the Administrative Office of Courts both times when Moore was chief justice. Hobson also was the director of the Foundation for Moral Law. Hobson said that he made the decision to run about a year ago.

Hobson is challenging U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, who is running for her fifth two-year term in the U.S. Congress. State Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, former Congressman Bobby Bright, and retired Sergeant Major Tommy Amason is also running for the Republican nomination for the House.

Tabitha Isner and Audri Scott Williams are running in the Democratic Primary.

Republican incumbents are historically safe from primary challenges in Alabama; but Roby has angered some conservatives, who perceive her as too moderate. Wetumpka Tea Party President and founder Becky Gerritson challenged Roby two years ago.

Roby won that primary, but then antagonized some GOP voters by publicly withdrawing her support for President Donald Trump during the 2016 general election after an old interview where Trump used an inappropriate word and appeared to be saying that he liked to assault women surfaced.

Former Congressman Terry Everett endorses Barry Moore

Monday, former Congressman Terry Everett endorsed State Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, for Congress. Everett represented the 2nd Congressional District for 16 years until his retirement in 2008.

“For 16 years, you gave me the honor of representing you in Congress, championing our shared values, and holding fast to conservative principles,” Everett wrote. “I will never be able to thank you enough for your trust and confidence in me!”

“Since I left Congress, however, government has grown, our representation has wavered, and District 2 values been casted aside,” Everett wrote. “We need to make a change and I am privileged to support Representative Barry Moore for Congress. In the State House, Barry Moore has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to conservative principles. He loves the district, is passionate about public service, loves God and his family, runs a small business, and has served in our military. His experience, faith, and work ethic are exactly what District 2 needs.”

Advertisement

“Here in Alabama, Barry Moore has been rated the ‘Most Conservative Legislator’ in our state, and he will continue to stand on principle in Washington. He will stand up for the Second Amendment, for people of faith, for our farmers, and, yes, for our military,” Everett wrote. “As a veteran himself, he will work tirelessly to support those who fought for our freedom. As a private citizen, I have been selective about when I choose to speak out. But, I truly believe this race matters, and that Barry Moore is the right choice.”

“When you challenge an incumbent member of Congress, you do not expect many, if any, endorsements to come your way. But, in our case, I am excited to share that the Lord continues to bless our campaign with an outpouring of momentum and support,” Moore said. “This week, more than a dozen members of the Alabama House of Representatives stood with me to endorse my campaign. This group included Republican Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter as well as Elmore/Autauga Representative Mike Holmes and Montgomery Representative Dimitri Polizos.”

“To a person, these conservative leaders are citing a need for change and testifying to my commitment to our principles. I cannot thank them enough for their endorsement,” Moore concluded. “The person we elect will have MAJOR decisions on their plate. They will have to decide whether or not to stand with the president, whether to strengthen our military, and how to reduce the size and scope of government. Our religious freedom is under attack and so are our guns. Who do you trust to handle these big issues? As the Most Conservative Legislator in Alabama, I am the one who will always be on your side.”

Everett retired in 2008 and was replaced by former Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery. Bright was defeated in 2010 by then Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby.

Roby is seeking her fifth term in the Congress.

Bright (who has switched to the Republican Party), former Alabama Courts administrator Rich Hobson and retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Tommy Amason are also running in the Republican primary.

Tabitha Isner and Audri Scott Williams are running for the seat in the Democratic primary.